Family Vespidae

Wasps, Hornets, Yellowjackets

Wasps of the Family Vespidae (Paper Wasps, Hornets, Yellowjackets) are
social insects, building colonies out of paper like material (hence the names
paper nests, paper wasps) and this group are some of the most dangerous stinging
insects.Mud Daubers can sting but do not belong to this
group; they are solitary (not social) and build their nests or cells from mud,
not paper.

In most cases, yellowjackets and hornets have a life cycle that runs on a
yearly cycle. In late fall or early winter, the social colonies begin to
die off with a few queens finding areas to over winter. These mated queens
will begin the cycle anew in the spring by beginning new nests. These
nests can be built in various areas, depending on species. Bumble
Bees build underground nests, usually in an existing hole or burrow that
lies beneath a rock, stone or man-made objects such as decking.
Although they are considered beneficial and a welcome guest in any garden, the bumble
bee nest can sometimes become a hazard due to close proximity to often used
paths or where children and pets frequent. Control
of bumblebees is similar to yellow jacket control.Yellowjackets
usually nest in the ground, taking advantage of old rodent burrows, cavities in
the ground around the root systems of old trees or any other hole which they can
take advantage of. Yellowjackets will also nest in the wall voids of
homes, beneath siding, behind brick veneer, in hollow blocks or other such
spaces. Great care should be taken in the elimination
of yellowjacket nests.Paper wasps and hornets build
nests in more visible areas than do yellowjackets.
[ Hornet Nest Removal, Hornet Elimination; Paper
Wasp Elimination.]

The paper wasp nest is the familiar single layer of cells, suspended from
the eaves of buildings, in old barns, on the underside of piers or
billboards. In most cases, these nests can be easily eliminated by first
applying a wasp freeze and then spraying with a wettable powder insecticide to
prevent the stinging wasps from rebuilding.
Hornet nests are similar to paper wasp nests in that they begin with the single
layer of cells. They then, however, suspend many layers together and
"wrap up" the cells to form the familiar ball of paper you often see
in trees or even on a home. Hundreds of workers usually reside in these
type of nest, so approach the colony with caution. Crossing the flight
paths of the workers, getting too close to the nest or otherwise disturbing the
hornets or wasps can result in an attack you will not soon forget.

The first workers born to the mated queen start the tasks of expanding the
paper nest started by their mated queen and to take care of the young
brood. As new workers are born, they too join in the job of expanding the
nest and caring for the rest of the colony.

By summer, the foraging workers are in large enough numbers to become
pests when their nests are in close proximity to man. These workers forage
for a variety of foods, depending on the needs of the colony. In the fall
of the year, new reproductives are produced by the colony, mating begins and the
cycle starts again.
It is not uncommon for wasps to be seen, swarming in small numbers around homes
and buildings in the fall. The mating cycle causes wasps to fly around,
becoming a nuisance to homeowners who cannot locate a nest to kill; they only
see the wasps hovering around their homes and landscaping.

In most cases, the old nests (paper made from saliva and wood) decompose
because they are no longer in use. New nests are made by mated queens that
survive the winter elements. When possible, remove and destroy abandoned
nests as they can contain larvae (which attracts predator bugs, spiders) and can
be the direct cause of carpet beetle infestations in homes. There have
also been cases of paper nests igniting when fireplaces are used for the first
time in the fall or winter. If nests are not removed from chimneys, the
paper can catch fire and burning embers are drawn up the chimney, exit and can
cause nearby brush fires.